I spent yesterday Sept. 15 at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in Brighton. Shorebirding was quite productive along the beaches, with AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (5), BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (14), SANDERLING (11) being the most common species. A juvenile RED KNOT was feeding with several BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, and one PECTORAL SANDPIPER flew past the beaches. A pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS stirring things up around the protected area on Beach 4.
On Gull Island I found BAIRD'S (8), LEAST (12), and SPOTTED (1) SANDPIPERS, and more BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS (3). There was also a single WHIMBREL near the western side of the island. A large flock of at least 50+ AMERICAN PIPITS contained a single HORNED LARK, and both a juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER and a MERLIN patrolled the island. I ended the day with a walk through the Marsh Boardwalk, where I heard and saw MARSH WRENS (3), VIRGINIA RAILS (2), and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (8) feeding in the shallows around the reeds. Pat DIRECTIONS: Presqu'ile Provincial Park is located in Brighton. Take the Brighton exit from the 401; the park is well signed from the highway. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/